By Erin McNelis

unnamed

Situated amongst several suburban neighborhoods, the Sandy Ridge Community Garden is filled to bursting with good things to eat at this time of the year. From kale to tomatoes to flowers and herbs, the garden supports all kinds of plant live. The volunteers who have kept up this garden every season since May of 2011 have planted a feast. And they are sharing that feast with members of the community who need it.

The gardeners donate at least half of the produce they grow to area food pantries, an act that is particularly necessary in the summer. Summer is the time of year when food pantries receive the least donations. When the shelves are bare, those who rely on these pantries risk going hungry. The garden is also a valuable source of nutrients. Too often, pantries are stocked with processed food filled with preservatives, salt, fat, and calories. Not so with the mountains of fresh produce from the Sandy Ridge garden.

As of the end of July, the garden had donated 200 pounds of produce. That’s as much as a typical refrigerator weighs. That’s a lot of kale.

The garden is located on the grounds of Doylestown Mennonite Church at 590 North Broad Street. The acre plot is maintained by volunteers under the tutelage of master gardeners. All are welcome, from beginners to masters, from babies to seniors. This year, the garden offered 10 private plots for people to take care of as well as the group plot to share. Organizations like 4H, schools, scouts, and churches were also invited to lend a hand. A beekeeper joined the group this year, setting up two hives in the garden, providing colonies of pollinators for the plants as well as honey.

And while summer is winding down, and the main growing season in this region is nearing an end, there is still much to do in the garden. Those joining late in the game might not get a personal share of the produce, but that isn’t the only reason people volunteer. A sense of peace is to be had out between the dirt and the sky, and a sense of community by giving to those in need.

This August, the garden, along with the church, is sponsoring a concert series held Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, learn about the garden and how you can participate, and enjoy music in the garden. Maybe the bees will hum along.

To volunteer, contact them at buckscommunitygardens@gmail.com.

We Are Supported By:

APMomsCookieBar22 WeedManAP22 FamilyServiceBucksAP22 CampCuriosityAP22 LindaWolfensonAP

Join Our Community. Click here to learn more